Korkeasaari Zoo

Korkeasaari Zoo (Finnish: Korkeasaaren eläintarha, previously known as Helsinki Zoo) is the largest zoo in Finland, located on the island of Korkeasaari in Helsinki. The zoo was first opened in 1889, originally showcasing common animals from Finland.

Korkeasaaren eläintarha
Korkeasaari Zoo
A snow leopard in Korkeasaari Zoo
Date opened1889
LocationKorkeasaari, Helsinki, Finland
Coordinates60°10′30″N 024°59′03″E
Land area22 ha (54 acres)
No. of species150
MembershipsEAZA[1]
OwnerKorkeasaaren eläintarhan säätiö sr
DirectorSanna Hellström
Websitewww.korkeasaari.fi/en

Korkeasaari Zoo is among the most popular places among visitors in Helsinki. A ferry and water buses take visitors to the Zoo during summertime, from the Market Square and Hakaniemi. The zoo is also connected to the mainland via a bridge to the Helsinki district of Mustikkamaa, where there is access to the zoo all year round.

Conservation work

Korkeasaari Zoo works with other modern zoos to maintain a healthy and viable zoo population with European Endangered Species Programme. Korkeasaari Zoo holds the European studbook for markhors. Korkeasaari Zoo holds fundraisings for many conservation projects, such as the Night of Cats for the Amur leopards and Amur tigers. The zoo is a member of European Association of Zoos and Aquaria and International Union for Conservation of Nature. Korkeasaari Zoo has also a wildlife hospital for injured and orphaned wild animals.[2]

Collection

There are about 150 animal species, and about a thousand plant species. The main collection comprises mammals and birds, but even reptiles, fish and invertebrates are on display. The collection has been selected so that outdoor animals can comfortably live in the climate of Finland. This means that many charismatic megafauna are absent, notably elephants, rhinoceros and hippopotamuses. Korkeasaari Zoo has two tropical buildings, Amazonia and Africasia.[3]

  • Gulo gulo
  • Panthera pardus orientalis
  • Ursus arctos
  • Panthera tigris tigris
  • Macaca sylvanus
  • Chelmon rostratus
  • Helogale parvula
  • Rangifer tarandus fennicus
  • Lynx lynx
  • Camelus bactrianus

Notes
  1. "EAZA Member Zoos & Aquariums". eaza.net. EAZA. Retrieved 12 August 2010.
  2. "Korkeasaari Zoo conservation work". Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  3. Korkeasaari Zoo FAQ, retrieved 19 September 2019
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